Overview of Salary and Benefits for Rural and Nonrural Educators in Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming
December 16, 2014
A Comparison of Teacher Salaries
A sample of salaries for educators in Idaho and its neighboring states is provided below. The
states’ average teacher salaries are included as well as the minimum and maximum salaries in
two rural and two nonrural counties within each state.
Among all surrounding states, Idaho has the second-lowest average teacher salary.
Average Teacher Salaries - Idaho and Neighboring States 2012-2013
$60,000
$57,920
$58,758
$55,957
$53,571
$55,000
$50,000
$49,393
$49,734
Utah
Idaho
$49,999
$45,000
$40,000
Montana Washington
Nevada
Wyoming
Oregon
Teachers in Idaho can often reasonably expect to earn a higher salary in a neighboring state.
Salaries are highlighted in red if they exceed the salary in Idaho for a similar location and could,
therefore, incentivize teachers to leave the state. We used the minimum and maximum salaries
in Boise to represent nonrural locations ($34,855/$64,242) and Genessee to represent rural
locations ($34,000/$58,534). Using these figures, for example, an early-career teacher may see
rural Nevada ($36,045/$61,141) as a more enticing location to teach than Genessee.
Idaho – Minimum, Maximum Teacher Salaries in Rural and Nonrural Districts
District/Charter Name
Boise Independent School District
Lewiston Independent School District
Genessee Joint School District
Salmon School District
Location
Nonrural
Nonrural
Rural
Rural
Minimum Salary
$34,855
$30,475
$34,000
$26,525
Maximum Salary
$64,242
$59,178
$58,535
$49,867
Montana – Minimum, Maximum Teacher Salaries in Rural and Nonrural Districts
District
Helena School District #1
Great Falls Public School District #1
Jordan Public Schools
Roundup Public Schools
Location
Nonrural
Nonrural
Rural
Rural
Minimum Salary
$28,947
$32,062
$26,010
$29,000
Maximum Salary
$64,519
$67,461
$43,510
$47,865
Nevada – Minimum, Maximum Teacher Salaries in Rural and Nonrural Districts
District
Clark County Public Schools
Washoe County Public Schools
Mineral County School District
Esmeralda County School District
Location
Nonrural
Nonrural
Rural
Rural
Minimum Salary
$34,684
$34,421
$34,839
$36,045
Maximum Salary
$72,427
$70,596
$65,613
$61,141
Oregon – Minimum, Maximum Teacher Salaries in Rural and Nonrural Districts
District
Eugene School District
Portland Public Schools
Jefferson County School District
Central Linn School District
Location
Nonrural
Nonrural
Rural
Rural
Minimum Salary
$35,059
$38,046
$35,573
$31,250
Maximum Salary
$72,760
$77,366
$69,821
$57,706
Utah – Minimum, Maximum Teacher Salaries in Rural and Nonrural Districts
District
Granite School District
Ogden School District
Daggett School District
Juab School District
Location
Nonrural
Nonrural
Rural
Rural
Minimum Salary
$33,806
$33,000
$33,163
$29,367
Maximum Salary
$66,485
$67,125
$60,557
$55,687
Washington – Minimum, Maximum Teacher Salaries in Rural and Nonrural Districts
District
Location
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary
Tacoma School District
Nonrural
$40,105
$80,148
Olympia School District
Nonrural
$34,048
$64,174
Coupeville School District
Rural
$34,048
$64,174
Chimacum School District
Rural
$34,048
$64,174
* 283/295 school districts in Washington have the same salary schedule, set by the legislature. Districts
may elect to modify the standard schedule.
Wyoming – Minimum, Maximum Teacher Salaries in Rural and Nonrural Districts
District
Albany County School District
Campbell County School District
Crook County School District
Hot Springs County School District
Location
Nonrural
Nonrural
Rural
Rural
Minimum Salary
$42,790
$46,000
$42,150
$42,000
Maximum Salary
$69,665
$80,900
$69,733
$67,900
A Comparison of Teacher Retirement Benefits
As in Idaho, educators in neighboring states are eligible to participate in their state’s public
employee retirement systems. Because the workings of these systems vary widely from state to
state, the following is an overview of the individual options, focusing on contribution rates,
vesting periods, plans/tiers, and average benefits paid.
Montana Teachers’ Retirement System
Montana has a tiered pension plan for teachers. Those who joined before July 1, 2003 are
members of Tier One and those who joined the plan on or after that date are members of Tier
Two. Unlike other states, Montana has not created separate plans for the tiers, it has merely
created an option to set higher contribution rates for Tier Two members. Currently, employee
contribution rates for both Tier One and Tier Two members are set at 8.15 percent. Employer
contribution rates are 8.57 percent. All teachers become vested after working full time for five
years.
Nevada Public Employees’ Retirement System
Nevada does not have a tiered system for teacher pensions. Employers have the option of
participating in an “employer pay” contribution plan or an employee/employer contribution plan.
In the former plan, employer contribution rates are 25.75 percent, while in the latter both
employee and employer contribution rates are 13.25 percent. There is a five-year vesting period
in Nevada.
Oregon Public Employees Retirement System
Oregon has a three-tiered retirement system for public employees. Those working for PERS
employers on or before December 31, 1995 are members of Tier One, with Tier Two eligibility
falling between January 1, 1996 and August 29, 2003. Contribution rates for Tier One and Tier
Two members are 5.29 percent for employees and 8.93 percent for employers. Tier One and
Two are defined-benefit plans. They have a vesting period of five years.
Employees that began working after August 28, 2003 are members of the Oregon Public
Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP), which is a defined contribution plan. The OPSRP does not
have a vesting period. Beginning on January 1, 2004, 6 percent of member salaries are
withheld in an Individual Account Program (IAP). The IAP account can have earnings, losses,
deductions for administrative fees, and may be rolled over into a traditional IRA, a 547 plan, an
Oregon Savings growth plan, or other qualifying plans.
Utah Retirement System
Utah has a two-tiered retirement system with an optional noncontributory plan for employers.
Tier One members joined the system before July 1, 2011, while Tier Two members were hired
on or after that date. Tier One is a defined-benefit pension with a vesting period of four years.
Tier One members also have the option of contributing to a 401(k), 451(k), IRA, or Roth IRA
plan. Tier One contribution rates are 6 percent for employees and 15.97 percent for employers
in the contributory plan and 20.46 percent for employers in the noncontributory plan. Tier Two is
a hybrid system, with a default 401(k) option as well as a defined benefit pension like that
available in Tier One.
Washington Teachers’ Retirement System
There are three plans in the Washington Teachers’ Retirement System.
•
•
•
Teachers who were hired before October 1, 1977 are members of Plan One.
Plan Two members were hired between October 1, 1977 and July 1, 2007 or were hired
after July 1, 2007 and have opted into the plan.
Teachers who were hired after July 1, 2007 have the option of joining Plan Two or Plan
Three.
Plan One is a traditional defined benefit plan, with a five year vesting period and a 6 percent
contribution rate. Plan Two’s defined benefit plan currently has a five year vesting period and a
4.96 percent contribution rate for teachers. Plan Three has two components – employers
contribute to the defined benefit and teachers contribute to the defined contribution. Teachers
are vested in Plan Three when they have: ten years of service, five years of service with 12 of
those months earned after age 44, or five years of service earned in Plan Two before July 1,
1996.
Wyoming Retirement System
Wyoming has a two-tiered retirement system. Teachers are members of Tier One if they made
their first contribution to the system on or before August 31, 2012 – those that made their first
contribution on or after September 1, 2012 are members of Tier Two. The two plans differ only
in that Tier Two uses a smaller multiplier to calculate benefits and has a higher age limit for
retirement. The system’s contribution rates are currently 8.25 percent for employees and 7.62
percent for employers. Employers may also elect to fund the full 15.87 percent contribution.
Vesting occurs after 48 months of service, which do not have to be consecutive.
Montana Average Benefits Paid
Source: Montana Teachers’ Retirement System. “TRS Comprehensive Annual Financial Report: Fiscal
Year Ended June 30, 2013.” Accessed December 9, 2014.
https://trs.mt.gov/miscellaneous/PdfFiles/Information/AnnualReports/2013cafr.pdf
Nevada Average Benefits Paid
Source: Nevada Public Employees’ Retirement System. “Popular Annual Financial Report: Fiscal Year
Ended June 30, 2013.” Accessed December 9, 2014.
https://www.nvpers.org/public/publications/FY13PAFR.pdf
Nevada Average Benefits Paid
Source: Nevada Public Employees’ Retirement System. “Popular Annual Financial Report: Fiscal Year
Ended June 30, 2013.” Accessed December 9, 2014.
https://www.nvpers.org/public/publications/FY13PAFR.pdf
Nevada Average Benefits Paid
Source: Nevada Public Employees’ Retirement System. “Popular Annual Financial Report: Fiscal Year
Ended June 30, 2013.” Accessed December 9, 2014.
https://www.nvpers.org/public/publications/FY13PAFR.pdf
Oregon Average Benefits Paid
Source: Oregon Public Employees’ Retirement System. “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013.” Accessed December 9, 2013.
http://www.oregon.gov/pers/docs/financial_reports/2013_cafr.pdf
Utah Average Benefits Paid
Source: Utah State Retirement Board. “2013 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended
December 31, 2013.” Accessed December 9, 2014.
https://www.urs.org/mango/pdf/urs/AnnualReport/2013/annualReport.pdf
Utah Average Benefits Paid
Source: Utah State Retirement Board. “2013 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended
December 31, 2013.” Accessed December 9, 2014.
https://www.urs.org/mango/pdf/urs/AnnualReport/2013/annualReport.pdf
Washington Average Benefits Paid
Source: Washington Department of Retirement Systems. “2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report:
Statistical Section.” Accessed December 9, 2014. http://www.drs.wa.gov/administration/annualreport/cafr/cafrStatistical.pdf
Washington Average Benefits Paid
Source: Washington Department of Retirement Systems. “2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report:
Statistical Section.” Accessed December 9, 2014. http://www.drs.wa.gov/administration/annualreport/cafr/cafrStatistical.pdf
Washington Average Benefits Paid
Source: Washington Department of Retirement Systems. “2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report:
Statistical Section.” Accessed December 9, 2014. http://www.drs.wa.gov/administration/annualreport/cafr/cafrStatistical.pdf
Wyoming Average Benefits Paid
Source: Wyoming Retirement System. “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report: A Component of the
State of Wyoming for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013.” Accessed December 9, 2014.
http://retirement.state.wy.us/home/reports.html
Sources:
Albany County School District. “Albany County School District One; Laramie, Wyoming; Teacher Salary
Schedule (Based on 185 Days); Effective July 1, 2014.” Accessed December 10, 2014.
http://www.acsd1.org/acsd/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Teacher_14_15.pdf
Campbell County School District. “Campbell County School District 2014-2015 Certified Salary
Schedule.” Accessed December 5, 2014.
http://www.campbellcountyschools.net/files/filesystem/copy%20of%20certified%20salary%20schedule%2
02014-2015.pdf
Central Linn School District. “Agreement between the Central Linn School District 522C and the Central
Linn Education Association 2014-17.” Accessed December 5, 2014.
http://www.centrallinn.k12.or.us/district/documents/contracts/certified_contract_2014-17.pdf
Chimacum School District. “Collective Bargaining Agreement between Chimacum School District and #49
and Chimacum Education School 2013-16.” Accessed December 5, 2014.
http://csd49.schoolwires.net/cms/lib07/WA01919377/Centricity/Domain/20/CEA%20Contract%20COMPL
ETE%2012-13-13.pdf
Clark County School District. “2014-2015 Annual Teacher Salary Schedule.” Accessed December 5,
2014. http://www.ccsd.net/employees/resources/pdf/salary_licensed_grades.pdf
Coupeville School District. “Collective Bargaining Agreement between Coupeville School District No. 204
and the Coupeville Education Association September 1 2013 – August 31, 2015.” Accessed December 5,
2014. http://coupeville.k12.wa.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/13-15-CEA-CBA-Salary-Schedule.pdf
Crook County School District. “Crook County School District No. One 2014-2015 Certified 190 Day
Contract Salary Schedule.” Accessed December 5, 2014.
http://www.crook1.com/uploads/7/1/5/5/7155968/certified_salary_schedule_2014-2015.pdf
Daggett School District. “Employee Handbook 2013-2014.”Accessed December 5, 2014.
http://www.dsdf.org/files/user/1/file/DSD_Employee_Handbook_13-14(1).pdf
Eugene School District. “Licensed Professional School Plan.” Accessed December 5, 2014.
http://www.4j.lane.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/4J_HR_2014_15_LicensedSalarySchedule.pdf
Granite School District. “Granite School District 2014-2015 Teacher Salary Schedule (20) Nine Month
Base Contract (187 Days).” Accessed December 5, 2014. http://www.graniteschools.org/hr/wpcontent/uploads/sites/19/2014/07/2015-Teacher-Salary-Schedule.pdf
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Jefferson County School District 509-J. “2014-2015 Extended Responsibility Schedule with 1.3%
Increase Over 2013-14.” Accessed December 5, 2014 http://jcsd.k12.or.us/sites/jcsd.k12.or.us/files/FY1415.%20Licensed%20Salary%20Schedule.pdf
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Affiliate of the Montana Education Associate and the Unified Board of Trustees Garfield County District
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https://www.juab.k12.ut.us/index.php/departments/human-resources/for-employees/salary-schedules.html
Mineral School District. “Professional Negotiation Agreement between the Mineral County School District
and the Mineral County Classroom Teachers’ Association 2014-2015 School Years.” Accessed
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https://trs.mt.gov/miscellaneous/PdfFiles/Information/AnnualReports/2013cafr.pdf
National Center for Education Statistics. “Digest of Education Statistics: Table 211.60.Estimated average
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through 2012-13” Accessed December 4, 2014.
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d13/tables/dt13_211.60.asp
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https://www.urs.org/mango/pdf/urs/AnnualReport/2013/annualReport.pdf
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